The Lady Pioneer volleyball squad is pictured from left, front row, Ellen Kennedy, Renci Ricker, Kennady Izzard, Ellie Heisler, Lizzie Lombardi, Kate Stroupe and Alexa Kaltenbach; second row, Jaden Phelps, Hannah Beach, Olivia Ishael, Ava Francis, Gracie Nees and Olivia Zuro; third row, assistant coaches Megan Flaherty and Allyson Bolton, Lauren Howell, Emma Shepherd, Olivia Crabtree, head coach Joe Ross and assistant coach Kara Seidenstricker. (Photo submitted)
A standout senior class will lead the Jonathan Alder girls volleyball team this year.
The Lady Pioneers posted a 26-2 record en route to a stellar 2019 campaign.
Alder captured Division II district championship honors, along with a Central Buckeye Conference championship.
They finished their season as a regional runner-up.
The Lady Panthers will be led by seniors Ava Francis and Emma Shepherd.
An outside hitter, Francis earned first-team All-Ohio accolades for her work last year.
Shepherd, who is also an outside hitter, was honorable mention All-Ohio after the 2019 campaign.
“Ava and Emma are both excited to continue to improve their games,” said second-year head coach Joe Ross. “They will do whatever the can to make our team successful.”
Francis already committed to play volleyball at the University of Arizona prior to her sophomore campaign at JA.
Additional seniors include:
-Grace Nees is a returning middle blocker and is a strongpoint of JA’s front row;
-Kennady Izzard is the returning libero;
-Ellen Kennedy and Kate Stroupe return as defensive specialists.
“Kennady, Ellen and Kate are anchors for us in serve receptions,” said Ross.
-Alexa Kaltenbach has moved back to setting from the defensive specialist role.
Junior Lizzie Lombardi is also a defensive specialist.
The Lady Pioneers will miss the services of junior Lauren Howell.
She recently underwent ACL surgery and will be sidelined for the entire 2020 campaign.
Ross hopes that won’t be repeated among the remainder of the roster.
“Hopefully, we won’t have any other injuries this season,” he said.
The Alder coach said the team’s goal is to take advantage of all opportunities that come its way.
“Our seniors spoke to our underclassmen in preseason and did a great job sharing how they want to enjoy every minute of the season despite the (COVID-19) uncertainty around us,” said Ross.
“Our side of the CBC (the Kenton Trail Division) should be a lot of fun this year,” said the coach.
Divisional rivals include Bellefontaine, Kenton Ridge, London, Springfield Shawnee and Tecumseh.
“I think everyone in our division returns some excellent players,” said Ross. “With us having the success we had last season, we know that we will get everyone’s best when we play.”